S aturday didn't start out as the perfect day to spend at Presque Isle State Park, but Steve McDermott thinks people made the best out of a wet situation.

Saturday was the second day of the annual Discover Presque Isle event at the park. McDermott, the president of the Presque Isle Partnership, said the day picked up after an early morning thunderstorm swept through.

"I've been doing this long enough to know it's not the end of the world when it rains," McDermott said.

McDermott said two of Saturday's events were affected by the weather. He said the mile swim was pushed from 8:30 a.m. Saturday to the same time Sunday, and tours of the Presque Isle Lighthouse opened later than planned.

But the rest of the day's events went on as planned.

That includes the annual arts and crafts festival, which had more than 100 vendors, and the nearby children's festival.

At the Waterworks pond, the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie let children and their parents fish using bamboo cane rods and chunks of Smith's hot dogs.

Jerry Skrypzak, the president of that organization, said about 50 kids and 100 parents participated in the event by Saturday afternoon. Many of those children are new to the sport, which is one reason they were using such unique equipment.

"It's a way to keep kids interested," Skrypzak said.

Penny Rybka and her 10-year-old daughter Elizabeth were among those who took advantage of the fishing event.

Rybka said the weather might have actually worked to her daughter's advantage.

"Sometimes the best weather for fishing is rainy and cloudy," Rybka said.

Elizabeth spent much of her time peering into the water, hoping to land a large striped perch she spotted in the pond. But she wasn't having much luck at first.

"They're nibbling on it, but they're not biting," Elizabeth said.

But despite the lack of immediate fishing success, Rybka said they were enjoying their day at Presque Isle.

"Erie's so nice," Rybka said. "There are so many things for kids to do."